Insect screen



June 16, 1936. E, BROWN 2,044,664

INSECT SCREEN Filed Nov. 12, 1934 Bro wgmvmon @5222 mwfo/ ATTORN EY WITN E":

Patented June 16, 1936 PATENT oFFIcE INSECT SCREEN Edward G. Brown, Denison, Tex.

Application November 12, 1934, Serial No. 752,764

3 Claims.

This invention relates to insect screens and its general object is to provide a screen in the form of a canopy for use with beds, cots and the like and not only excludes insects and allows ample ventilationfor the occupant, but'forms a relatively large enclosure or compartment providing ample space for free movement of the occupant, and includes means to allow for free ingress and egress.

A further object of the invention is to provide a canopy type insect screen that can be used with beds and cots of all kinds, or used separate therefrom, as it may be self-supporting.

Another object of the invention is to provide a canopy type insect screen that is foldable or collapsible, so that it can be readily carried and stored in minimum space, but it can be set up for use with very little effort.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a canopytype insect screen or device that is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and extremely efficient in use andservice.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination 5 and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing my invention in detail, reference 30 will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or correspondingparts throughout the'several views, and in which:

a Figure 1 is a front view of the insect screen or canopy which forms the subject matter of the 5 present invention, applied to a cot with the door or closure thereof arranged as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 2 is an end view. Figure 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the 40 direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawing in detaiLit will be noted that I have shown my canopy applied to a cot, but of course it is to be understood that it can be applied to any type of bed, cot or the like, 45 or disposed on any fiat reclining surface, such as the floor or ground, as the cot or bed is not essential in the use thereof.

The cot as shown is of the usual construction 'in that it includes crossed leg members having 50 their upper ends fixed to side rails which for distinction are indicated by the letter A, and the side rails have secured thereto a fabric body, as

shown. 4

My canopy includes a frame which is made up 55 of a pair of rectangular frame members provided with end portions I and longitudinal portions 2. Each of the frame members are continuous and the end portions l are flattened beyond the centers thereof as at 3, with the flattened portions secured together through the instrumentality of 5 rivets or the like 4, so that the frame members are pivotally connected with each other, as will be apparent upon inspection of Figures 2 and 3.

It will be noted that when the canopy is in use, such as with a cot as shown, the frame mem- 10 bers are disposed so that two of the longitudinal portions are uppermost and two are below the same, therefore the latter longitudinal portions may be termed the lower ones and which are adapted tobe received by hooks 5 secured to the 15 side rails A of .the cot. At the juncture of the upper longitudinal portions 2 with the end portions I, I provide knobs 6 forming stops for a purpose which will be presently described.

Cooperating with the frame is the enclosure 20 which includes a base I formed from relatively heavy fabric material and which is of a size to fit the cot in the form as shown. The base may havereinforced edges, but in any event one longitudinal edge and the end edges thereof are upturned in flanged formation as at 8, and secured to the upturned end edges are the end portions or walls 9 of a body which is made from mosquito netting and the like and which includes a top wall IE and a closed rear side wall H, the latter being fixed to the upturned longitudinal edge of the base 1.

The end walls, the top wall and the rear side Wall of the body are materially reinforced by strips of material l2. Some of these strips extend transversely of the top wall and rear side wall, as well as across the closure or door l3 for the open front side of the canopy, and arranged at the juncture of the top wall with the'door and rear side wall, as well as at the juncture of the 40 top and end walls are other strips, which not only reinforce the body, but act to divide the top wall from the rear wall and the door, or closure member for the open front of the body. Any number of strips may be employed and they are also used to separate the end walls from the rear wall, as best shown in Figure 3. The end walls are provided with the inclined side edges and some of the strips 12 of the end walls may cross each other as shown.

In order to secure the body of my canopy to the frame, I employ a plurality of lengths of tape M which are fixed midway their ends to the strips [2 and at the juncture of the longitudinal strips with the transverse strips of the top wall, so that the lengths of tapes can be tied to the upper longitudinal portions of the frame members as clearly shown in Figure 1.

The end lengths of tapes are preferably wrapped about the frame members upon opposite sides of the knobs 6 and thence tied, with the result the top wall will be retained in stretched condition and slippage of the body on the frame will be prevented.

With a view of allowing for the opening of the closure or door l3 without pulling upon the body, I secure to the end walls 9 substantially triangular shape pieces of material l5 that extend a considerable distance toward the center of the open front as best shown in Figure 1, and these pieces of material act in the capacity as flaps to secure the closure or door with respect to the body, as well as have a tendency to exclude insects from the compartment or enclosure provided by the body and base. These pieces of material or flaps I5 are likewise secured to the door and base.

The major portion of the closure or door I3 is also formed from mosquito netting, but the door has its lower end portion reinforced by a relatively wide strip I6 of heavy material, that is provided with a pocket to accommodate a rod I! that acts in the capacity as a weight for holding the door in closed or opened position. The strip I6 is coextensive with the length of the door and is of a width to extend a considerable distance below the side rail of the cot, as best shown in Figure 2 which likewise illustrates the manner in which the door is held in closed position by the rod l1, and from Figure 3, it will be obvious that the weight of the rod will hold the door in opened position, when the strip It with the rod in the pocket thereof, is disposed on the top H).

The base 7 has also secured thereto strips l8 similar to the strips I 2 and the strips I 8 are adapted to secure the base to the lower longitudinal portions of the frame members through the medium of knots, as shown. The strips I8 are preferably used in pairs, so that the ends of the cooperating pairs can be knotted about the frame portions, as will be apparent upon inspection of Figure 3.

By employing a base 1 of relatively heavy material, it will be apparent that it is capable of supporting bed clothing, such as a pad, light mattress, a pillow, blanket and the like.

From the above descriptionand disclosure of the drawing, it will be obvious that I have provided an insect screen in the form of a canopy that is foldable, but can be easily set up for use with respect to a bed, cot or the like, and not only excludes insects, but the body thereof by bein held through the instrumentality of the frame and strips I2 provides ample space for free movement of the occupant, while the door opening allows for free ingress and egress yet when closed by the door, the passage of insects therethrough is practically impossible.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a canopy, a base, a body secured to the base and being formed from mesh material, reinforcing strips for the body and extending longitudinally and transversely thereof, said body having a door opening, a door for closing the opening and secured to the body, and weighted means for holding the door in opened and closed positions and extending longitudinally thereof.

2. In a canopy a base, a body secured to the base and including a top wall, a closed rear side wall and closed end walls, said body being formed 9 from open mesh material and having a substantially open front, a door for closing the front and including open mesh material, relatively heavy fabric material secured to the lower portion of the door and including a pocket, weighted means in said pocket to hold the door in opened or closed positions, and reinforcing means for the door and walls of the body, and means secured to the reinforcing means for securing the body to a support.

3. In a canopy for a reclining means such as a foldable cot, a frame for the covering of the canoDy and comprising a pair of continuous rectangular frame members disposed one within the other, the ends of the frame members being fiattened intermediate their ends, pivots for the flattened portions for securing the frame members together, and bearing means for securing the lower longitudinal portions of the frame members to the cot whereby the canopy may be folded with the cot.

' EDWARD G. BROWN. 

